Lane closure at north end of Lake Pontchartrain Causeway signals project start

Northbound motorists on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway should be aware of a lane closure near the foot of the bridge in Mandeville. The lane closure began this morning and will continue periodically in the coming weeks, a Causeway official said.

Vehicles make their way across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in this file photo.

Signs at the 22-mile marker of the 24-mile-long bridge warn drivers to merge into the left lane. At around three-quarters of a mile from the foot of the bridge traffic cones have been put out to close off the right lane.

Crews this week began a project to add a fifth tollbooth at the toll plaza in Mandeville. That $1.1 million project includes some other work, including a new traffic pullout area on the right side of the northbound lanes exiting the bridge.

Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechou said the northbound right lane at the foot of the bridge will be closed periodically for the next couple of weeks due to the work. He said the contractor, Barriere Construction, will do the work in such a way that no lanes in either direction will be closed during peak bridge traffic periods.